Kangaroos get warm welcome in Port Moresby, Jake Clifford wants Thurston’s No.7 jersey
IT has been a crazy week for Cronulla halfback Chad Townsend, who went from shaking the Prime Minister’s hand to being given a hero’s welcome in arrival in Port Moresby. SEE THE PICTURES:
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CHAD Townsend went from shaking the Prime Minister’s hand at Kirribilli House to touching adoring fans’ hearts in Port Moresby.
It has been a crazy week for the Cronulla halfback, who was part of the PM’s XIII side that arrived in PNG on Thursday.
About 1000 people lined the streets outside the airport while children chased the team bus for kilometres just to get a glimpse of their heroes.
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The players were given a police escort to their hotel with roads and access around the airport blocked.
“I’ve never seen anything like it before,” Townsend said. “Back home you see kids who love their footy but these kids appreciate it on another level. To be here and experience that, I’m certainly grateful.
“The kids and the smiles on their faces when they are running along the bus.
“They were touching some of the boys’ skin and then running away ecstatic about it. It shows the impact we as rugby league players can have on kids.”
Our #PMsXIII team has arrived in PNG!
— Australian Kangaroos (@Kangaroos) October 4, 2018
Awesome ðŸ˜#GoTheRoos #RISE pic.twitter.com/zZRiQTEavS
Big men Aaron Woods, David Klemmer and Jake Trbojevic were greeted with the biggest applause.
For Townsend, the experience could not have been any more different to that when he joined the rest of the Sharks squad as a guest of Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Kirribilli House.
“It was really good,” Townsend said. “To get the chance to go there doesn’t happen every day. My wife and I took our daughter. We wanted to make the most of it.
“Scott Morrison is obviously a long-time fans of the Sharks. He is our No.1 ticketholder. It’s very exciting for our club for everyone to experience that.
“He said he tried to put the whole Sharks team in (to play PNG).
“As a game it’s a huge asset to have someone that is so invested. He is just a fan like everyone else.
“I had a good chat to him at Kirribilli House. We spoke about our footy. I could hear in his voice the passion he has for the game. What this game brings is truly incredible.”
CLIFFORD WANTS JT’S NO.7 JERSEY
HE played alongside his childhood hero, now Jake Clifford has set his sights on wearing Johnathan Thurston’s famed No.7 jersey.
Clifford fulfilled boyhood dreams when he made his NRL debut alongside Thurston this year. He showed he could more than handle the halves spot during his six games, which has now paved the way for the 20-year-old to be the Cowboys next long-term halfback.
“I’ve always been a natural No.7 doing the organising and stuff,” Clifford said. “If I got to replace him that will be special for me. He’s worn that seven jersey for so many years now and has left a good legacy at the club. To try to carry on that legacy will be something I’d like to try and do.”
Clifford is expected to partner Michael Morgan in the halves next year. The rookie playmaker is among a host of Junior Kangaroos taking part in the PM’s XIII game in Port Moresby on Saturday.
He will start alongside PM’s XIII captain Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves.
Clifford said playing alongside Thurston will ensure he is not overawed by the opportunity. “ (Cherry-Evans is) definitely someone I’ve watched growing up,” Clifford said. “I’m trying to stay as relaxed as possible and not stress out.
“ I’m trying to stay as relaxed as possible. I was a bit anxious coming into camp but as soon as I got here I felt really welcomed.”
MAD DOG CHALLENGES NRL TO HELP
FORMER Kangaroos star Adam MacDougall continues to support good mate Mark Hughes.
MacDougall’s health food company Cranky Health is about to make its latest $250,000 donation to the Mark Hughes Foundation to assist with ongoing funding and research.
The former NSW Origin and Kangaroo has publicly challenge NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg to match it dollar for dollar.
“This would be the perfect way for Todd and the NRL to show its support for the great work being done by The Mark Hughes Foundation and to help with raising awareness for brain cancer,” MacDougall said.
“Although the NRL is admittedly doing great things in the community and supporting great causes like drought relief, white ribbon and mental health awareness, I believe it’s vitally important to look after its own as well and this includes supporting people like Mark Hughes.”
The NRL holds the annual Beanie for Brain Cancer round.
The latest funding from Cranky Health will help support next month’s Mark Hughes Foundation Borneo Coast to Coast Trek, which involves a bike ride over 120km, trekking the Sandakan Death March in the footsteps of Australian soldiers during World War 11, climbing Mount Kinabalu (over 4100m) and whitewater rafting from one side of Borneo to the other.
PNG VILLAGE VISIT TO HONOUR OTTO
THE PNG side paid tribute to World Cup player Kato Ottio on Thursday after visiting the village of their teammate who died earlier this year.
“We drove through his village,” Kumuls captain David Mead said. “We saw little
kids running up to the players.
“You realise how lucky you are. I saw a guy fixing a tap so they can provide water for the village. Immediately I felt grateful for everything I have.
“To see kids smiling and running alongside the bus. You realise how lucky you are and in a privileged position to do what you love.”
WHICH Kangaroos teammates switched rooms so they could be paired next to each other in PNG?
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NEWCASTLE’s favourite son Nathan Ross could have played his final game for the Knights. Super League clubs are lining up to sign the Ross-Dog, who only last year extended his Knights contract until the end of 2020.
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FORMER Wests Tigers coach and Newcastle assistant Mick Potter is set to land a job at Parramatta. Potter has been sounded out as a replacement for Nathan Cayless who will join the Warriors next season.
SCG FLAGS DOWN NICK
NICK Politis was given a special gift from the SCG Trust to mark the final appearance of the Roosters before Allianz Stadium is demolished. SCG Trust chairman Tony Shepherd gave Politis the Roosters flag which flew above Allianz Stadium throughout the 2018 season. It also flew at the last league game at the venue, where the Roosters beat archrivals South Sydney.
STARS’ CAULIFLOWER CHEERS
CROSS-code superstars Wally Lewis, Michael O’Connor and Ricky Stuart will headline The Cauliflower Club lunch at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney on Friday. The rugby-based charity funds the provision of sporting and recreational equipment for those suffering from permanent disability.
At the event Lewis plans to reveal the best player he played with or against during his two code careers. For details go to: cauliflowerclub.org.au
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